Compressed gas switch



May 16, 1933. s. RUPPEL coMPkEssED GAS SWITCH Filed Sept. 11, 1929 3Sheets-Sheet l //7 venfon: 3

3 Sheets-Sheet S. RUPPEL COMPRESSED GAS SWITCH Filed Sept. 11, 1929 May16, 1933.

Filed Sept. 11, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 16, 1933 PATENTOFFICE SIGWART RUPPEL, OF FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAIN, GERMANY COMPRESSED GASSWITCH Application filed September 11, 1929, Serial No. 391,843, and inGermany September 20, 1928.

This invention relates to compressed gas switches for high powerelectrical installations, and has for its main object the provision ofan improved practical high tension switch of the aforesaid type.

While compressed gas switches can. gener ally be constructed similarlyto the known form of high power switches, special arrangements arerendered necessary by the actual character of the compressed gas switchwith respect to air supply, drive and switch space, which differ greatlyfrom the hitherto usual form both in action as well as in the internaland external shape. The constructional forms hereinafter described fullysatisfy the particular requirements of compressed gas switches and show,in addition to the principle of construction, also variousconstructional examples of single and multiple phase switches. Asoil-free power switches have hitherto been known only for cutting offlow power and oil switches have been exclusively used for interruptinglarger currents, in the present invention forms of construction areshown which permit the cutting off of high power as over 300,000kilowatts without oil and only using compressed gas.

The construction of the compressed gas switches may be such that forexample a three-phase switch is made of the three separately arrangedpoles, which have in common only the drive and the compressed gassupply. All three phases may, however, also be arranged in a commonhousing, this serving at the same time as the compressed gas container.If three single phase switches are combined into a three phase currentunit, the position of these single phase switches with respect to eachother may be variously chosen, thus, with the switches located in oneplane or arranged in the form of a triangle. In this a common crosspiece may serve for the three switching positions in common with a powerdrive as a spring, electro-magnet, compressed piston, or the like. Thedrive itself can be arranged either side by side with or under theswitch, or it may be also placed in the switch itself. The break at eachpole may either be a single break or a double or multiple break. Thecurrent supply to the movable switch part may take place either bysliding contacts or by flexible current leads which may be carriedinside ahollow contact. Both for reasons of space as well as fortechnical working reasons, it may be advantageous to combine theswitches. If the switches are arranged in a common switch chamber, thisswitch space will serve to a certain extent as a compressed gasreservoir, and if the switches are so arranged that the switching ofican only take place after there is sufficient pressure in the switchchamber, the quantity of compressed gas contained in the switch spacemay suffice for the first ex- 5 tinction, and the compressed gasafter-movement would only have to maintain the condition of extinction.

The switch chamber can be made of metal and the separating poles whichare carried w by insulating material as porcelain, compressed paper, andthe like may be inserted as separately insulated pieces or, if the polesare carried into the interior of the switch space they may be insertedwith the leadingin insulators. The metal wall may be lined withinsulating material in the interior, where there are parts carryingpotentials or over its entire surface. To separate the different poles,insulating walls may be fitted which keep the three poles separated fromeach other both inside as well as outside. Instead of constructing theswitch chamber of metal, it could be made substantially of insulatingmaterial. The poles could then be inserted directly in this insulatingmaterial, as compressed paper, porcelain, steatite and the like and thedividing walls could complete and strengthen the whole arrangement.

If the switch chamber is made substantially of porcelain, then, inaddition to the lateral ribs, special cross ribs may be fitted.

A multiple break for higher potentials is effected, if it is desired touse separate standard parts, preferably in separate similarly 95constructed switch chambers, so that the switch part only needs to bealtered to cor respond with the potential difference. The supportingpiece can if desired be the same, as an earthed or grounded piece ofmetal.

In this case a comparatively simple arrangement is obtained since withdiflerent potentials it is only necessary for the hollow insulatingsupports which carry the contacts, to be exchanged. Otherwise,everything in the construction of the switch remains the same. Of coursethe distance between the poles must be suited to the potential; thisdistance, however, can be easily changed by the insertion of spacingpieces.

A condition, however, for such an arrangement, standardized in the mostsimple manner, is that the extension of the switch part be carried ininsulating sleeves through the earthed part which carries the switchchambers in hollow supports. These insulating sleeves must be made tocorrespond in length to the potential which in turn determines the lenth of stroke.

(Jompressed gas switches can, after opening the circuit, be madeaccessible at all parts. The whole mechanism is open. This accessibilityis still more enhanced if the contacts are not titted inside the switchbut at the outer ends. If this is done, then the switch can be simplyfixed to a centre earthed metal part and the poles carried by insulatedhollow parts in which the switch piece moves. The contacts are thenentirely free at the ends of the insulating pieces; they can be easilyinspected and repaired.

then such an arrangement is provided, then the switch parts carrying thecurrent must move in an insulating sleeve in order that a sufficientinsulating space or a sufii cient insulating power may exist between theswitch part and the earthed centre part. In the case of such anarrangement, current transformers may be easily fitted on the earthedpart surrounding the current carrying switch part.

lVith such an arrangement, the compressed gas supply can also be madedirectly through a metal pipe, as the compressed gas is fed into theearthed part. If the position is such that the metal pipe would come toonear parts carrying potentials, then of course an insulating pipe couldbe used.

My invention will be more fully set forth in the following descriptionreferring to' the accompanying drawings, and the features of noveltywhich characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularityin the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly insection, of a high tension circuit breaker of the gas-blast type; Fig. 2is a fragn'ientary elevat-ional end view of the switch shown in Fig. 1;Fig. 3 is an elevational View of another form of polyphase circuitinterrupter; Fig. 4 is an elevational end view, partly in section, ofthe switch shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an elevational view, partly insection, of another form of polyphase circuit interrupter, and Fig. 6 isa plan view of the switch shown in Fig. 5.

In Figs. 1 and 2, a constructional form of a compressed gas switch isshown in which all the switch parts are fixed on a common framework. Theearthed or grounded centre part 5 comprising part of the switch casingis fitted on the metallic bracket 6 which is fixed on the frame 57. Inthis frame are also fitted the compressed gas chamber or reservoir 34,control valve 33, driving cylinder 10, and the compressed gas supplypipe 32 which supplies compressed gas to the three poles, as well as theother part of the driving mechanism. The upper pole-the stationarynozzle contact or electrode 2,is mounted on a half leading-in insulator16 formed as an insulating shell, and the lower or movable electrode 1together with the sliding current collecting contact, as sleeve contacts3, on a half leading-in insulator 17. In this half leading-in insulator17 there is an insulated tube or sleeve 4 in which the switch rod 1 withthe end contact 51 reciprocates. The switch rod 1 may be mounted in aninsulating sleeve 50.

On the switch being opened, the switch piece or electrode 1 movesdownwardly through the insulating tube 4. The arrangement may here atthe same time be so contrived that the insulating sleeve is within thecontact 4 and thus interrupts also the current supply to the end contact51 after the completion of the switching off in the extinguishingchamber.

A transformer 53, as a current transformer, can be carried on theearthed centre piece 5. The contact 3 may be covered by sleeves, easilyremovable, so that it can be inspected at any time. The guiding of theswitch piece in the tube 4 can take place in any desired manner. Ifdesired, felt rings may be inserted. The tube 4 may be constructed as afiat or corrugated tube both outside and inside. If desired, ribs may bearranged which permit of a lateral spring support.

As the insulating sleeve 4 projects rather far into the switch space,its upper end must be sufiiciently far back from the separating pointbetween electrodes 1 and 2 that on the disappearance of the end contact51 in the insulating tube 4 the arc extinction is obtained withcertainty. the insulating tube 4 may be of stream line form.

The driveof the movable switch part takes place by means of insulatedrocking links 54 and levers 55 from the shaft 56. The compressed gasdrive 10 actuates the shaft 56 which moves all three poles in common. Inthe figure shown, both the switching in valve as well as the othersubsidiary apparatus appertaining to the switch as, for example, thepressure testing valve, are not shown. Upon opening or downward movementof electrode The upper end of.

1 the pressure gas supply to the blast space or gas chamber of theswitch takes place through the valve 33, distributing pipe 32, supplypipe 52, switch gas chamber formed by the earthed centre piece 5 andinsulating shells 16 and 17, to the blast point from the compressed gaschamber 34. The are drawn between the separating electrodes is quicklyextinguished by the blast of gas exhausting through the nozzle electrode2.

Figs. 3 and 4 show the construction of a compressed gas switch withdouble interruptor in which the three poles are arranged side by side.The hollow half-leading-in insulators 16 are mounted on an earthedcentre part 5 which is constructed as a compressed gas distributingpipe. The phase displacement may be suitably subdivided by means ofspacing pieces between the standard separate pieces 5. The whole of themoving parts are mounted in a frame 57 in which are arranged thecompressed gas vessel 34, valve 33 and driving cylinder 10. In thearrangement shown, the driving cylinder 10 works on a double cross bar20 on which are mounted the switch parts 1 by means of insulated crosspieces 58. The cross bar can be carried in special guides 22 on bothsides so that a bending of the cross bar is not possible. Instead ofeffecting the drive with the cross bar, a rocking link drive similar tothat shown in Fig. 1 could be provided. With an arrangement of the polesin one plane, the compressed gas may be either supplied from one sidethrough the valve 33 and pipe 32, or the supply could take place also onboth sides as shown in broken lines on the left-hand side of Fig. 3. Ifthe supply takes place on one side, it may be fitted either on the leftor on the right hand side of the switch according to the conditions ofthe site and according to the general scheme it several switches are tobe mounted side by side. If required, in the case of switches which worktogether, a common drive could be used for several switches by means ofa shaftrunningthrough. The drive could also be so provided that onlyunder certain conditions could a common release take place from onedrive. The switch piece 1 may be passed through the insulated pipes 4which may be supplied with felt guide pieces or the like, and also bemounted in the earthed centre piece 5 so that they are to a certainextent flexible. The connection takes place in this switch on the twonozzle-shaped contacts 2. When the compressed gas supply is provided onboth sides, then if required, with normal switchings, only onecompressed gas valve 33 could be opened, the second compressed gas valvebeing controlled in accordance with the switching-off current.

In Figs. 5 and 6 are shown the elevation and plan of a compressed gasswitch with double break, in which each switch piece 1 is carried in aninsulating tube 4 which is supported by a separate earthed centre part5. On the earthed centre part 5 which also represents the compressed gassupply, is then also fitted the hollow support 16 which on its partcarries the nozzle contact 2. The whole switch consists of suchabove-described elements as are mounted on a triangular stand 59. Eachtwo corresponding switch parts 1 are connected by the connecting piece58 and driven by the shafts 56 through insulated rocking links 54 andlevers 55. The compressed gas supply takes place from the compressed gascontainer 35 arranged in the base of the stand 59, through valves 33 andcompressed gas distributing pipe 32 to the switch points. The drive ofthe separate poles can take place either for each pole separately by acompressed gas drive 10, or by any other method of driving; itnecessary, however, the three shafts 56 could be coupled together by thebevel wheel 60 and only a single drive 10 be used. The coupling of theshaft 56 would be advantageous if all three poles are driven by aspecial drive, as all three poles would then be simultaneouslyinterrupted. For the separation of the phases insulating walls can befitted at the side as well as above the stand 59, which extend upwardsinto exhaust hoods, not shown, for the expelled switching gas. Insteadof giving the stand 59 an angular shape, this could be of cylindricalform, the interruption points being arranged in a circle. If necessary,with this construction, the drive could be arranged in the centre of thestand 59 and the levers 55 extended towards the inside being driven bylinks. In this case, the shafts 56 need not be carried through andcoupled as then one drive switches all three phases.

TVhat I claim is 1. A gas blast circuit interrupter comprising agroundedmetallic casing having insulating structure at opposite ends thereofforming a gas chamber, relatively movable electrodes separable at oneend of said chamber to form a gap through which gas may exhaust tointerrupt the are formed therein, one of said electrodes comprising acurrent carrying rod member reciprocally mounted within said chamber andextending therethrough, a current transformer annular in form mountedupon said metallic casing and surrounding said rod electrode, and a pipeconnected to said metallic casing for admitting gas thereto from asource of pressure.

2. A gas blast circuit interrupter comprising a metallic casing, saidcasing being grounded, insulating members mounted at opposite ends ofsaid casing forming a switch chamber, a hollow electrode mounted uponone of said insulating members, a coacting rod electrode extendingthrough said chamber and guided by the other insulating member forreciprocal movement therein, opening movement of said rod electrode in adirection towards the interior of said chamber forming a gap throughwhich gas may exhaust from said chamber to extinguish the arc, and aninsulating sleeve for said rod electrode ex tending through said chamberintermediate said insulating members so as to be disposed between saidrod electrode and said grounded casing.

3. A gas blast circuit interrupter unit comprising a cylindrical casingforming a gas chamber, insulating shells at opposite ends of said casingfor mounting and guiding stationary and movable electrodes respectively,said movable electrode comprising a current carrying rod memberextending through and guided in said casing, said electrodes separableat one end of said casing toifor'm a gap through which gas may exhaustfrom said chamber to extinguish an arc therein, a grounded metallicframe upon which said casing is mounted, a gas collector tank mounted insaid frame, means including grounded metallic pipes and controllingvalve structure interposed between said tank and chamber admitting gasunder pressure thereto during circuit interruption, and operating meansfor said rod electrode including a piston operatively connected theretomounted with respect to said frame.

4. A polyphase circuit interrupter unit of the gas-blasttype comprisinga plurality of phase switches each including a metallic supportingsleeve, a hollow insulator mounted on said sleeve and forming therewitha gas chamber, a nozzle-like contact mounted on said insulator, acoacting rod contact extending through said chamber, a metallic framecommon to said sleeves supporting and.

grounding the same, said frame including means connecting each chamberto a common source of gas pressure, and operating means common to saidrod contacts mounted on said frame.

5. A circuit interrupter of the gas-blast type comprising a groundedmetallic supporting frame, a metallic switch casing mounted on and inconducting relation with said frame, an insulating shell forming withsaid casing a gas chamber, relatively movable electrodes coacting at oneend of said chamber, said electrodes comprising a sta tionary nozzlecontact mounted on said insulating shell and forming an exhaust openingfor said gas chamber and a coacting rod contact movable in andlongitudinally of said gas chamber, an insulating sleeve within saidchamber for said rod electrode positioned between the same and saidmetallic casing, means directing gas under pressure from a source ofpressure into said gas chamber, and means efi'ecting circuit opening andclosin movements of said rod contacts.

ln testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

SIGWART RUPPEL.

